FOREVER KNIGHTS: #16 To Keep Her

Stone Peak, Black Mountains, Battling Border

SAVAGE JAXSON

“Murah?” He rolled to lay on his side.

“Mmm?” She lay on her back. Sweating and flushed from their loving. “You should sleep. Why do you never sleep?”

“I don’t know.” He dismissed. “I have to go somewhere. Somewhere ugly.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I can’t guarantee I’ll come back this time. If I do not, or you get word that I will not. Go with Phalanx.”

“The guard you always leave to trail my every move?” She said derisively.

“Yes, that Phalanx.” He sighed. “And leave. Go somewhere safe.”

Her chin lifted and she looked down her nose.

He lightly pinched her chin before her finger and thumb and tugged it back down. Level with mine.

“Don’t give me that look. I need you to do this. To vow it.”

“I vow nothing that means I allow you to leave and not come back.” She shook her head adamantly.

“Murah…” His hand fell as he tried to coax her.

Pointless I know.

“No.”

“I need you-”

“No.” She said decisively. That chin easing up again.

“If you go away and die then I remain here and die.”

“That’s not what I want.”

“Good.” She lifted a haughty red brow. “Then I suggest you come back to me.”

“Murah!”

“No.” She met his look. Shaking her head pointedly. “Where are you going?”

“If I tell you and I don’t come back you’ll go looking. And I go to see someone you cannot declare war on.”

“Radix?”

“No. Not this time. But I am going to walk into his lair to get there.”

“Even I know that’s foolish!” She leaned up. The coverlet falling to expose her beautiful porcelain bosom and the flatness of her belly curving into lush hips. “Why would you do that.”

“It’s essential.” He leaned up to meet her.

“No!” She launched over him. Shoving his shoulders back roughly to the blankets.

“Are you trying to pin me down to keep me from leaving?” He half-laughed. “I could pick you up and walk out with you still clinging to me.”

“Congratulations to you. For you may have to do just that.”

“Murah.” He laughed. Trying to pry her off. But she dug fingernails into his chest. Nearly painfully. “Ouch!” He laughed harder. “I cannot surrender, no matter your wiles.”

“I’m not using wiles. I’m using pain.”

“I know! I was being sarcastic. Come.” He caught her shoulders and rolled her beneath him. Yanking the coverlet from between them so he could drop his weight over her. “Much as I bend to you. I cannot in this.” He slowly lowered over her and watched as her head tipped back as she gasped in pleasure.

“I’m not surrendering.” She moaned.

“You’re not? It certainly looks it.”

Savage had to wear out Dimurah enough she slept despite herself. And like the worst kind of rogue he crept from his own tent without waking her.

Phalanx caught him at the tent flap leaving. “Oh, no. You’re not leaving me to explain your absence like this!”

Savage shot him a dark look.

Phalanx sighed, shoulders slumping. “You are…”

I am. Savage whistled.

The stable door swung as Delacort jumped it but caught it slightly with a back hoof. The big black galloped to him and turned sideways for Savage to mount.

“I’ll be back soon. If I’m not…”

“I’ll take her to Meadow Mountain until I’m stopped. Then I tell them who she is to you.”

Savage nodded. You take her to my father.

High in a tree, Savage clutched his magic close to keep it from being readily sensed. It was hours before he saw the gray robes of the demon in the distance. As he exited his lair.

Finally.

Savage dropped from the tree and knelt where the mud was the densest. Intermingled with noni feces. Scooping handfuls, he lathered himself. Using it to mask his scent.

They won’t smell me coming.

He expertly wound through the first two turns in the cavern. Easily passing Radix’s personal chambers.

The nonis not so much as sparing him a glance.

When he rounded the corner to see Chavias’ prison he found him standing at the bars. “I see you…”

“I know you do.” Savage grinned. “I missed you.”

“You merely miss killing next to me.”

“Nay. I kill plenty on my own.” He corrected. “I miss your company.”

Chavias reached between the bars to catch the back of Savage’s head. Giving it a quick rub as a father does a son. “Your power is growing, Lad. I felt you coming a good ways out.”

Savage tipped his head grudgingly. “Are you ready yet.”

“Afraid not, Lad.” Chavias shook his head sadly.

“It fine. I come on another mission tonight.”

“What mission?”

“Have you seen Sebastian’s woman down here tonight?” Savage asked.

Elsabet.

“No woman worthy of him would be down here!”

“She would be. I told her of this lair.” Savage argued. “Told her where to find Radix.”

Chavias’ brow knitted in confusion. “Has he fallen so far?”